Celine Sandberg, the founder of Agoprene, an Oslo-based company, has been experimenting with unconventional materials to create sustainable furniture. Her goal is to reduce the use of plastic polymers, such as polyurethane, in furniture production. Sandberg and her team have tested various materials, including crushed oyster shells, agricultural waste, and wood fibers, to find an environmentally-friendly alternative for filling pillows, sofas, and chair cushions. While most of these materials resulted in rigid foam, they eventually discovered that seaweed could be transformed into a soft foam block suitable for seat cushions and chairs. This seaweed foam is 100% biodegradable and will naturally degrade in the soil within eight months.

Plastic is widely used in the furniture industry, not only in the form of polyurethane but also in polyester, vinyl blends, and wood veneers coated with polymers. Plastic is favored for its versatility and low cost, as it is derived from by-products of oil refining. However, there are significant drawbacks to using plastic in furniture. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 12 million tonnes of furniture were discarded in the US in 2018, with 80% ending up in landfills where plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Additionally, the production of polyurethane foam rubber alone contributes to 105 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

To combat these issues, many companies are seeking alternative materials for furniture production. Danish design company Mater, for example, uses discarded coffee bean shells and sawdust from furniture production to create seats and backrests for their chairs. They also utilize ocean waste for their outdoor furniture. Another unconventional option being explored is fungus. Researchers at Newcastle Upon Tyne's Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment have developed BioKnit, a textile made from mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi. This material decomposes naturally and does not require binders or glue that would persist in landfills.

Major design brands, such as Williams Sonoma and IKEA, are also embracing sustainable materials in their products. Williams Sonoma now uses responsibly sourced cotton and recycled polyester, while IKEA plans to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030. Sandberg is encouraged by the furniture industry's willingness to explore new materials and make changes to their production processes. She believes that this openness and curiosity will lead to positive change in the industry's wasteful practices.

Original news source: The weird materials behind sustainable furniture (BBC)

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– Sketch It
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Celine Sandberg, the founder of Agoprene, an Oslo-based company, has been ? with unconventional materials to create sustainable furniture. Her goal is to reduce the use of plastic ?, such as ?, in furniture production. Sandberg and her team have tested various materials, including crushed oyster shells, agricultural waste, and wood fibers, to find an environmentally-friendly alternative for filling pillows, sofas, and chair cushions. While most of these materials resulted in rigid foam, they eventually discovered that ? could be transformed into a soft foam block suitable for seat cushions and chairs. This seaweed foam is 100% biodegradable and will naturally degrade in the soil within eight months. ? is widely used in the furniture industry, not only in the form of polyurethane but also in polyester, vinyl ?, and wood veneers coated with polymers. Plastic is favored for its ? and low cost, as it is derived from by-products of oil refining. However, there are significant drawbacks to using plastic in furniture. The ? Protection Agency estimates that 12 million tonnes of furniture were discarded in the US in 2018, with 80% ending up in landfills where plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Additionally, the production of polyurethane foam rubber alone contributes to 105 million tonnes of CO2 ? annually. To combat these issues, many ? are seeking alternative materials for furniture production. Danish design company Mater, for example, uses discarded coffee bean shells and sawdust from furniture production to create seats and backrests for their chairs. They also utilize ocean waste for their outdoor furniture. Another unconventional ? being explored is fungus. Researchers at Newcastle Upon Tyne's Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment have ? BioKnit, a textile made from mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi. This material decomposes naturally and does not ? binders or glue that would persist in landfills. Major ? brands, such as Williams Sonoma and IKEA, are also embracing sustainable materials in their products. Williams Sonoma now uses responsibly sourced cotton and recycled polyester, while IKEA ? to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030. Sandberg is encouraged by the furniture industry's willingness to explore new materials and make changes to their production processes. She believes that this ? and curiosity will lead to positive change in the industry's wasteful practices.

1. What is the goal of Celine Sandberg and her company Agoprene?
2. How would you feel if all furniture was made from sustainable materials?
3. Do you like the idea of using unconventional materials like crushed oyster shells and seaweed for furniture? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important for the furniture industry to reduce its use of plastic? Why or why not?
5. What are some drawbacks of using plastic in furniture production?
6. How would you feel if all furniture was made from materials that naturally decompose and do not contribute to landfills?
7. Do you think more companies should follow the example of Mater and use discarded materials for furniture production? Why or why not?
8. What are some other unconventional materials that could be used for furniture production?
9. How do you think using sustainable materials in furniture production could impact the environment?
10. Do you think the furniture industry is doing enough to combat its wasteful practices? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if all major design brands embraced sustainable materials in their products?
12. What are some challenges that companies may face when transitioning to sustainable materials for furniture production?
13. How do you think the use of sustainable materials in furniture production could impact the price of furniture?
14. Do you think consumers are willing to pay more for furniture made from sustainable materials? Why or why not?
15. Why do you think it's important for the furniture industry to explore new materials and make changes to their production processes?

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